Louisiana
Federal court reviews civil rights lawsuit alleging environmental racism in a Louisiana parish
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appellate court is reviewing a civil rights lawsuit alleging a south Louisiana parish engaged in racist land-use policies to place polluting industries in majority-Black communities.
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard oral arguments on Monday for a lawsuit filed by community groups claiming St. James Parish “intentionally discriminated against Black residents” by encouraging industrial facilities to be built in areas with predominantly Black populations “while explicitly sparing White residents from the risk of environmental harm.”
The groups, Inclusive Louisiana, Rise St. James and Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, seek a halt to future industrial development in the parish. They say they have suffered health impacts from pollution, diminished property values and violations of religious liberty as a result of the parish’s land use system.
The plaintiffs say that 20 of the 24 industrial facilities were in two sections of the parish with majority-Black populations when they filed the complaint in March 2023.
The parish is located along a heavily industrialized stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, known as the Chemical Corridor, often referred to by environmental groups as “Cancer Alley” because of the high levels of suspected cancer-causing pollution emitted there.
The lawsuit comes as the federal government has taken steps during the Biden administration to address the legacy of environmental racism. Federal officials have written stricter environmental protections and committed tens of billions of dollars in funding.
“The decisions made in this courtroom will resonate far beyond our borders, impacting frontline communities nationwide who are yearning for acknowledgment and accountability,” said Shamell Lavigne, a St. James Parish resident and a leader with Rise St. James, a local environmental justice organization. “We are advocating for our future and the wellbeing of our children.”
In November 2023, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana had dismissed the lawsuit against St. James Parish largely on procedural grounds, ruling the plaintiffs had filed their lawsuit too late. But he added, “this Court cannot say that their claims lack a basis in fact or rely on a meritless legal theory.”
Barbier had accepted the parish’s argument that the lawsuit hinged on its 2014 land-use plan, which generally shielded white neighborhoods from industrial development and left majority-Black neighborhoods, schools and churches without the same protections. The plan also described largely Black sections of the parish as “future industrial” sites, a classification described by the plaintiffs as a form of “racial cleansing.”
Regardless, the plaintiffs had missed the legal window to sue the parish by not filing their lawsuit within one year after the land-use plan was formalized, as required by statute of limitations laws, the judge had ruled.
During the appeals hearing, Fifth Circuit Court Judge Catharina Haynes said that the argument raised by the parish “basically makes it sound like if you didn’t sue within a year, well, heck, you can be discriminated against in a bunch of different ways for the rest of eternity.”
Carroll Devillier, Jr., a lawyer representing the parish, responded that residents had already had the opportunity to challenge the 2014 land use plan when it was being formulated. He also said the plaintiffs “have nothing” to prove they suffered from harms from discrimination in the year before they filed their lawsuit in March 2023.
Haynes also observed that parish officials, including those representing majority Black areas, had voted to support the 2014 land-use plan. “Why would you vote to discriminate against yourself?” she asked.
Pamela Spees, a lawyer for the Center of Constitutional Rights representing the plaintiffs, said the land-use plan could be approved by government officials but still reinforce discrimination.
After the hearing, Spees said that the approval of the land use plan had to be understood in the context of ongoing structural racism.
At its core, the lawsuit alleges civil rights violations under the 13th and 14th amendments, stating the land-use system in the parish allowing for industrial buildout primarily in majority-Black communities remains shaped by the history of slavery, white supremacy and Jim Crow laws and governance.
The parish’s 2014 land use plan is just one piece of evidence among many revealing persistent and ongoing discrimination by the parish, Spees said.
As evidence of more recent alleged discrimination, the lawsuit highlights the parish’s decision in August 2022 to impose a moratorium on large solar complexes after a proposed 3,900-acre (1,580-hectare) solar project upset residents of the mostly white neighborhood of Vacherie, who expressed concerns about lowering property values and debris from storms. The parish did not take up a request for a moratorium on heavy industrial expansion raised by the plaintiffs, the lawsuit states.
The parish’s lawyer, Devillier, Jr., told judges the solar moratorium had applied to the entire parish and that the plaintiffs’ request for a moratorium on industrial expansion, which initially came in the form of a letter sent by the plaintiffs in 2019, was “never formally considered” by the parish.
The lawsuit also argues the parish failed to identify and protect the likely hundreds of burial sites of enslaved people by allowing industrial facilities to build on and limit access to the areas, preventing the descendants of slaves from memorializing the sites. The federal judge tossed out that part of the lawsuit, noting the sites were on private property not owned by the parish.
Lawyers for St. James Parish have said the lawsuit employed overreaching claims and “inflammatory rhetoric.” Victor J. Franckiewicz, who has served as special counsel to St. James Parish for land-use matters since 2013, declined to comment after the hearing. St. James Parish did not respond to a request for comment.
“How can a judge rule a statute of limitations on clean air, clean water and clean soil? There should be none,” said Gail LeBoeuf, 72, a life-long St. James resident and a plaintiff in the case who co-founded Inclusive Louisiana.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found in a 2003 report that St. James Parish ranked higher than the national average for certain cancer deaths. Both majority Black sections of the parish are ranked as having a high risk of cancer from toxic pollutants according to an EPA screening tool based on emissions reported by nearby facilities, the complaint noted.
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Jack Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96.
Jack Brook, The Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Questions about Louisiana’s private ankle-monitoring companies are back in the spotlight.
It comes after the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office filed a motion this week to revoke bond for a man who allegedly violated monitoring orders and other requirements.
Prosecutors want a judge to revoke Marcus Washington’s bond after court filings say he violated his conditions when he was arrested in Livingston Parish on drug and gun charges while on ankle monitoring. Washington is accused of firing a gun inside a classroom at a local high school. A judge placed him on house arrest.
The case has renewed attention on Louisiana’s private ankle-monitoring companies.
Monitoring companies lack regulation
“The ankle monitoring companies have never had any regulation about what they can do, what they’re supposed to do,” said District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla, who represents East and West Feliciana.
D’Aquilla said that lack of oversight gained new attention after a separate case where a man violated a stay-away order, killed his wife, then killed himself. In that case, two ankle-monitoring workers were charged and accused of not alerting police when the monitor kept going off. The Louisiana Supreme Court said they can be criminally prosecuted.
“The company is supposed to monitor where they are at any given time,” D’Aquilla said.
Device switched from GPS to phone monitoring
In Washington’s case, the filing says the monitoring agency, Magnolia, reported a charging issue April 7. His monitoring was changed from an ankle GPS device to phone monitoring.
Two days later, prosecutors say his location services were turned off and he was stopped in Livingston Parish, where deputies say they found marijuana, illegal pills and a handgun.
“So that’s been the whole problem all along. It’s like the Wild Wild West. Put an ankle monitor on them, an ankle monitor company doesn’t notify the judge or anybody,” D’Aquilla said.
D’Aquilla said despite legislation combating violation issues, private monitoring companies are not obligated to notify anyone of violations.
“They’re in direct violation of their bond obligation, and they need to be in jail. So we haven’t been doing that,” he said.
The state also noted investigators looked at possible ties to the Mall of Louisiana shooting with Washington, but said a preliminary phone analysis did not put his device near the mall at the time.
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Chris Rogers and Megan Wiley are among 33 finalists selected across a four-state service area
Acadian ambulance outlines transports, services, and divisions
Acadian Ambulance: gold-standard EMS since 1971 — emergency, non-emergency, specialized & air transport; 8 divisions.
Acadian Ambulance has named paramedic Chris Rogers and EMT Megan Wiley as its Southwest Louisiana finalists for Medic and EMT of the Year.
The company selects 33 finalists annually from across its four-state service area based on peer nominations for patient care, work ethics and professionalism, according to a news release. Winners will be announced May 19 in Lafayette, according to Acadian Companies.
Paramedic Rogers and EMT Wiley represent the company’s Southwest Louisiana service area.
Acadian Ambulance has operated in Southwest Louisiana since 1973, when it began serving Jeff Davis and Acadia parishes, the release said. The company has nearly 200 employees in the region, which encompasses Calcasieu, Jeff Davis and Acadia parishes.
Chris Rogers, Paramedic
Rogers, based in Calcasieu Parish, has served with Acadian Ambulance for 10 years and is also an Associate Quality Improvement Coordinator (AQIC) for the Southwest Louisiana region.
A graduate of Acadian’s National EMS Academy, Rogers is recognized for his work ethic, advanced paramedic skills, and the respect he commands among his peers for his positive attitude and strong leadership.
He leads by example, encouraging his teammates to uphold the highest standards of patient care. His upbeat demeanor and energy make every shift more productive and collaborative, the release said.
In his role as AQIC, Rogers helps ensure that Southwest Louisiana team members deliver patient care and prepare new hires for success in emergency medical services. A natural problem solver, he is dependable, professional, and a pleasure to work alongside, Acadian Companies said.
Every patient interaction reflects his commitment to excellence and the highest standards of Acadian Ambulance.
Megan Wiley, EMT
Wiley, also based in Calcasieu Parish, began her career with Acadian Ambulance in March 2025. She is known as a patient care provider, anticipating the needs of her paramedic partners and ensuring a smooth, high-quality ride for patients to the hospital. Her professionalism, skill and dedication make every call safer and more efficient.
She is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at the National EMS Academy, and she serves as an adjunct EMT course instructor at the Academy’s Lake Charles campus, helping train the next generation of EMTs. She has made an impact as an EMT, instructor and student and she is a valued member of the Southwest Louisiana team.
Aaron Gonsoulin is the General Assignment/Trending Reporter for The Daily Advertiser. Contact him at AGonsoulin@theadvertiser.com.
Louisiana
LIV Golf may postpone Louisiana event scheduled for the end of June to avoid World Cup clash
LIV Golf may postpone its Louisiana event scheduled for June due to concerns the FIFA World Cup could impact attendance and viewership.
Issues such as high temperatures and course conditions are also factors in the decision.
The Saudi-funded circuit has been working in coordination with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s office and economic officials to find a new date for the tournament in either September or October, the sources with knowledge of LIV Golf operations said.
The tournament is currently scheduled for June 25-28 at Bayou Oaks at City Park.
The World Cup takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
LIV Golf, Landry and the Louisiana Economic Development are expected to issue a statement on the matter on Tuesday.
The sources’ comments come less than two weeks after LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said the breakaway circuit’s 2026 season would proceed as planned amid reports that the series is at risk of losing its funding.
The Louisiana event is the only LIV tournament on the schedule during the World Cup.
LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club is scheduled to begin May 7 in Washington, DC.
PGA CEO considering pathways to reinstate LIV Golfers
Brian Rolapp says the PGA Tour is considering opening up more pathways to acquire LIV Golf players in the future
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp says the American circuit is thinking about establishing new pathways to reinstate LIV Golf players, amid speculation over the breakaway league’s future.
Rumours have swirled in the past weeks that LIV Golf could lose its financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), after the breakaway league was not mentioned in its four-year investment strategy.
McGinley: It’s not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys
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Paul McGinley discusses LIV’s future, what it means for the players and why the concept hasn’t resonated
Sky Sports Golf analyst Paul McGinley believes LIV players interested in returning to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour could face multiple “roadblocks” on their way to regaining membership, adding that the landscape on both circuits has vastly changed since LIV’s inception.
“Over the last four years since LIV has been going, all of the spots these 56 players have had on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour have been filled,” McGinley said during Sky Sports Golf’s coverage of the final round of The RBC Heritage.
“You can’t just muscle your way back into what is going to be smaller fields than the bigger fields that they left.
“It’s not going to be an easy way back in, should they be allowed to do so.
“Also, there are a lot of roadblocks in the way. There would be suspensions, there would be fines, all the kinds of things that have been talked about in the last few years would have to remain in place in order to be equitable and fair to the guys who remained with the main tours over the last four years.
“There’s a lot of negotiation to be done between the main tours and the LIV players, if LIV is going to fold, in terms of what the future may be.
“It’s not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys.”
Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, majors and more live on Sky Sports, with the PGA Championship (May 14-17), US Open (June 18-21) and The Open (July 16-19) all exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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